Go for a Spin on the Ice at These Area Rinks
The DMV is currently in the midst of a deep freeze, with temperatures expected to stay below freezing much of the week. Why not make the best of the cold temperatures, strap on some skates and go for a spin around the ice? Area ice skating rinks are now open including new ones at The Wharf, and on the roof of the Watergate Hotel. They all offer lessons if you don’t know how to skate, and most are also available for birthday, corporate or private parties.
The Canal Park Ice Rink is in the Capitol Riverfront area near Nationals Stadium. (Phoot: Capitol Riverfront BID)
Canal Park
The Canal Park Ice Rink, 200 M St. SE, is opened Nov. 17 through the beginning of March and offers a winding track set against an alluring cityscape in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Lessons are also available.
The rink is open from noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. It is also open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on public school holidays. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for children or senior citizens and $5 for skate rental.
The ice rink at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden attracts thousands of skaters to the Mall each year.
(Photo: Washington Times)
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink, Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW, is open Nov. 18 through Mar. 11. A long-time favorite destination that attracts thousands of visitors to skate on the National Mall, it is surround by sculptures by renowned contemporary artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Roy Lichentstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Enjoy a bite to eat or a hot drink at The Pavilion Café while you take a break. Lessons are offered from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays.
The rink is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger, senior citizens 50 and older and students with a valid ID. Stake rental is $3.50 and locker rental is 50 cents.
The ice rink at Pentagon Row is the largest in Northern Virginia and second largest in the state. (Photo: Pentagon Row)
Pentagon Row
The Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Rink, 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, was doubled in 2013 and is now the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second largest in the state. It features a dual-sided stone fireplace to warm yourself by during breaks. It is open late October through mid-March. Lessons are available from 9-9:25 a.m. Saturdays for children ages 7-15 and from 9:30-9:55 for children 3-6. The cost is $95 for five weeks including skate rental. Adult lessons are Sunday mornings and cost $105 for five 50-minute lessons. Private lessons are also available.
The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday. It is open every day including holidays when the hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m., except New Year’s Eve, when it will be open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission is $9 for people 13 and older, $8 for children 12 and under and for senior citizens 55 and older. Skate rental is $4.
The Reston Town Center ice rink is in the center’s pavilion. (Photo: Reston Town Center)
Reston Town Center
From early November until March, the Reston Town Center Ice Rink transforms the center’s pavilion floor into a gleaming ice skating rink. Special events include Rock ‘n Skate from 8-10 p.m. on Fridays, Cartoon Skate from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and College Skate Night from 6-9 p.m. Thursday with $2 off admission with a valid college ID. Lessons, which are $125 per session, are offered from 9:30-10 a.m. and 10:15-10:45 a.m. on Saturdays Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27 or Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24.
The rink is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There are extended holiday hours. Adult admission is $10 and children younger than 12, seniors 55 and older and military are $9. Skate rental is $6.
Rockville Town Square’s ice rink is the largest in Montgomery County. (Photo: Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Skating/Facebook)
Rockville Town Square
The Rockville Town Square Ice Rink, 13 Gibbs St., Rockville, is the largest outdoor rink in Montgomery County. It is open from mid-October until March. Skating lessons for children ages 7-15 are from 9-9:25 a.m. on Saturdays and children ages 3-6 are from 9:30-9:55 a.m. Saturdays. Both are $100 for five weeks. Adult lessons are from -9:50 a.m. on Sundays and cost $110 for five classes with a 50 minute practice session afterwards.
The rink is open from noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. It has extended hours on holidays. Admission is $9 for adults 13 and older and $8 for seniors and children 12 and under. Skate rental is $5.
Silver Sping converts Veterans Plaza to an ice skaing rink. (Photo: Silver Spirng Ice Skating Rink)
Silver Spring
The Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Rink at Veterans Plaza, 8523 Fenton St., Silver Spring, is surrounded by restaurants, shops and plenty of parking that is free after 8 p.m. weekends and all day on weekends. It is open from mid-October to late-March. Youth lessons for children ages 7-15 are from 9-9:25 a.m. on Saturdays and from 9:30-9:55 a.m. for children ages 3-6. Adults lessons are from 9-9:50 a.m. on Sunday. Private lessons are also available.
The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-midnight Friday and 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m.-midnight whenever Montgomery County Schools are closed. Admission is $9 for adults 13 and older and $8 for children 12 and under and senior citizens. Skate rental is $5.
The Tysons Corner Center ice rink is on the second floor plaza between Lord & Taylor and the Hyatt Regency.
(Photo: Tysons Corner Ice Rink/Facebook)
Tysons Corner Center
The Tysons Corner Center Ice Rink, 1061 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, is on the shopping center’s plaza between Lord & Taylor and the Hyatt Regency accessible from the Tysons Corner Metro station. It is open every day from November through early-March. Special events include weekly Parent & Me skates from 3-5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, Two for Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays, College Night with $2 with college ID from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, cartoon skates from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Rock ‘n Skate from 7-9 p.m. Saturdays. Lessons are available on Saturdays from 9:30-10 am. Or 10:15-10:45 on Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27 or Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24, as well as Tuesdays from 7:15-7:45 p.m. on Jan. 2, 9, 16 and 23 from ages 4-adult. The cost is $125 per session.
The rink is open from 3-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 3-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 1-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. It is open holidays and there are extended hours during the holidays. Admission is $10 for adults and $9 for children, senior citizens and military personnel. Skate rental is $6.
Skate along the Potomac River at the Washington Harbour Ice Rink. (Photo: Sam Kittner)
Washington Harbour
Rejoice in riverfront views at the Washington Harbour Ice Rink, 3050 K. St. NW, which is open from mid-November until March in Georgetown. Skate alongside the Potomac River and enjoy a hot beverage from one of the rink-side restaurants. Specials include Two for Tuesday with two for one admission from 4-6 p.m., College Night Skate each Thursday with $2 off with a college ID, Cartoon Skate from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays and Rock ‘N Skate from 8-10 pm. Saturdays. Lessons are given from 9-9:30 a.m. or 9:30-10 a.m. on Saturdays and 6-6:30 p.m. or 6:30-7 p.m. on Mondays.
The rink is open from noon-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday with extended holiday hours. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for children, military and senior citizens, and $6 for skate rentals.
The skating rink on top of the Watergate Hotel is made of wax and offers 360-degree views. (Photo: Watergate Hotel)
Watergate Hotel
The DMV has impressive outdoor ice skating rinks. But non3 can mate the vieist from the temporary rink atop the Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave. NW. Although not technically an “ice” rink, the 70-by-20-foot oval is made of a wax that feels just like ice and offers a 360-degree view of the city. It opened Nov. 16 and will remain open until March. There is also a skate-up bar that serves boozy (or regular) hot chocolate, spiked cider and mulled wine along with snacks like strombolis and hot pretzels, as well as 12-foot heated faux igloos, which can seat up to eight and can start at $200 each to rent. Group lessons are available from 9-10 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays and cost $90 per skater for three session and include skate rental. Private lessons are from 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdas or 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and cost $35 per lesson, but skate rental is not included.
The rink is open from 5-10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1-10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. Rates are for 1 hour and include skates.
The new Wharf developement on the Southwest Waterfront has a skating rink beside teh Potomac River.
(Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)
The Wharf
Glide over the ice and enjoy amazing views of the water at the Wharf Ice Rink on the new development’s Transit Pier, 960 Wharf St. SW. It opened Dec. 2 and will remain open daily through late-February. The rink, right on the Potomac River’s edge in the city’s Southwest Waterfront, is cash-free and only accepts electronic payments. On Monday nights, residents with a 20024 Zip Code get a $2 discount and from 8-10 p.m. Friday is Rock N Skate. Lessons, which are $125 per session, are offered on Saturdays from 9:30-10 a.m. or 10:15-10:45 on Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27 or Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24.
The rink is open from noon-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. There are extended hours on holidays. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and younger, seniors 65 and older and active military with ID. Skate rental is $6.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.
